Widening and narrowing means for circular knitting machines



June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 2,839,906

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec.28, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 HERMAN E. CRAWFO D.

INVENTOR June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 2,839,906

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec.28, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 25! 233 HERMAN E. CRAWFORD 245 245 4 260INVENTOiK.

I 0 BY June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FORCIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 28. 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 MANN mvwHERMAN E. CRAWFORD,

INVENTOR.

June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 2,839,906

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec.28, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 HERMAN E. CRAWFORD,

INVENTOR- June 24, 1958 Filed Dec. 28. 1954 H. E. CRAWFORD WIDENING ANDNARROWING MEANS FOR JSW CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 6HERMAN E. CRAWFORD,

INVENTOR.

June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 2,839,906

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec.28. 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 H7 I I 145 in, Ha

HERMAN E. CRAwFoRD,

I NVEN TOR Q June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD 9,

WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANS FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec.28, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 v HERMAN E. CRAWFORD, INVENTOR.

2,839,906 FOR June 24, 1958 H. E. CRAWFORD WIDENING AND NARROWING MEANSCIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 28. 1954 HERMANE. CRAWFORD,

INVENTOR.

m mm 1 A L Km. m2 mm- Un wd S es, Patai 'o WIDENING AND NARROWINGMEANSFOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Herman E. Crawford, Kernersville, N. C.,assignor to H. E. Crawford Company, Incorporated, Kernersville,

N. C., a corporation of North Carolina I Application December 28, 1954,Serial No. 477,977 23 Claims. (or. 66-48) the active-needle-decreasingmechanisms disclosed-in my copending application entitled KnittingMachine, Serial Number 192,935, filed October 30, 1950, now Patent No.2,757,526, of which the present application is a continua-vtion-in-part.

In said copending application, the means for widening in the fabricincludes two sets of widening picks each including a pair of coactingwidening picks,'each of which lowers two needles upon each revolution ofthe needle cylinder during reciprocatory knitting and wherein narrowingpicks are provided which have a capacity to move two needles toinoperative or elevated position before the needles approach the stitchcams. This results in the yarn knitted in a particular rectilinear areaforming two additional wales in each succeeding course, in the knittingof Argyle fabrics.

The knitting machine disclosed in my copending application is providedwith two narrowing picks each having means for varying the capacitythereof so they may pick up either one or two needles to move them outof action with each movement of the needle cylinder duringreciprocation. thereof. The aforementioned knitting machine also has twosets of widening picks each including a'pair of co-acting wideningpicks, each of which lowers two needles upon each revolution of theneedle cylinder during reciprocatory knitting. Widening pick feed camsare provided for selectively lowering needles to where the butts of theleading needles corresponding to the direction of rotation of the needlecylinder engage and are lowered by one of the sets of widening pickswith rotation of the needle cylinder in one direction and, as said oneset of widening picks are lowered by the needles, they cause the otherof said sets of widening picks to move into operative positionwhereby,upon the next movementof the cylinder in the other direction,the other set of widening picks is positioned-so'as 'to engage the buttsof and lowerv the then leading needlesdirected thereto. The other set ofwidening picksxalso operates to move. the first-named setof wideningpicks back into operating position and this continues throughreciprocatory knitting. i

Because of the fact that the widening picks of each set are moved intooperating position by the-other widening picks, it hasbeen negessary,heretofore; to1increase the number of needles in action with eachrevolu-.

ice

tion of the needle cylinder in which widening of the fabric is takingplace during reciprocatory knitting with the result that each gusset,rectilinear area or triangular area formed from a particular yarn inknitting a stocking has had to be substantially symmetrical each siderofthe longitudinal center or centermost wale inknitting any given area, atleast insomuch as the widened portions oftsuch areas are concerned. I

It is an object of this invention to provide acircular knitting machineof the type having two spaced sets of widening picks each having two ormore widening picks, with pattern controlled meansfor moving'thewidening picks in either or both sets independently of eachiother intoor out of operating position andto further provide means, under controlof said pattern controlled means, for moving'at least onev of thewidening picks in either or both sets into or out of operating positionindependent of all of the other widening picks. This greatly increasesthe patterning capabilities ofthe knitting machine, since the number ofneedles in action can be increased by one or more needles uponpredeterminedly selected rotative movements of the needle cylinderduring reciprocatory knitting so the gusset, triangular area orrectilinear area thus knitted may be widened at one side only-relativeto a given Wale or it may be widened: a substantially greater number ofneedles from course to course at'one side thereof than it is at theother side thereof or it may be widened an equal number of needles ateachside of a given wale according to any desired preconceived pattern.

It is another object of this invention to provide individuallycontrolled widening picks in a circular knitting machine in combinationwithvariable-capacity narrowing picks whereby narrowing of the fabric byone or more wales may take place with successive movements of theneedle'cylinde'r in one direction and widening of the fabric by one ormore wales may take place with 'intervening movements of the needlecylinder in the other direction during reciprocatory knitting. i i

It is another object of this invention to provide pattern controlledmeans for rendering the variable-capacity narrowing picks inoperativeduring reciprocatory knitting to enlarge the scope of patterns which maybe knit and to provide better cooperation between the widening picks andthe narrowing picks. 9

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of aknitting machine of substantially the character shown in my saidcopending application and showing parts of the improved mechanism forcontrolling the position of the improved widening picks; I Y V Figure 2is an enlarged view with parts broken away looking substantially'alongline 22 at the left hand side ofthe central portion ofFig'ure l; l

. Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation looking at the right-hand side ofFigure l substantially along line 3 3j Figure 4 is an enlargedfragmentary detail, mostly in section, taken substantially along line4-4 inFigure 3;

Figure Sis a greatly enlarged view of the left-hand central portion ofFigure l; i i 'Figure 6 is a sectional plan view taken substantiallyalong line 6-6 in Figure 5; Y

Figure 7 issan' enlarged fragmentary elevation, with parts broken awayand partially in section, taken looking substantially along line 7-7 inFigure 6-and showing the pattern controlled means for engaging andcontrolling the position of the stemsof the said left-hand widenirigFigure'8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 88 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 9-9 in Figure. 7;

j Figure lll an enlarged fragmentary elevation, with parts broken awayand in section, taken substantially along line 10 -10 in Figure 6'andshowing the pattern controlled means for engaging and positioning thestems of the right h'and widening picks; g,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view looking substantiallyalong line 1111 at the right hand side of Figure 10; "Figure 12 is afragmentary plan view of a'rea'r portion or the top auxiliarypattern'drurn taken'substantially along line 12-12 in Figure v Figure 13is a view of the widening picks shown in Figure 7 with some of the partsindifferent positions;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 with some of the parts indifferent positions; i

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, showing a means to renderone of the narrowing picks inactive, taken substantially along line 1515in'Figure 6;

Figure 16 is a side elevation of a mens half hose showing one of thepatterns which may be knit utilizing the improved widening and narrowingpick controls;

3 Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 showing another of thepatterns which may be knit;

Figure 18 is adeveloped view of the patterned area of the'hose shown inFigure 16;

4 Figure 19 is a schematic view of the needle cams surrounding theneedle cylinder as if looking from the inside of the needle cylinder;

Figure 20 ha view of the patterned area of the hose shown in Figure 17.

Brief synopsis of the machine As heretofore stated, the presentinvention is primarily concerned with the devices for increasing thenumber of needles in action during the widening of a fabric portion,

that is, means for individually controlling each of a plurality ofwidening picks. The principles of the present invention may be readilyapplied to many difierent types of circular knittingmachines. However,the utility of the present invention can be best expressed byapplication of the. principles ofthepresent invention to machines of.the character disclosed .in my copending application, Serial No.1l8,964, filed. September 30, 1949 and entitled Knitting, Machine andMethod of Knitting Hosiery and Other Fabrics, and the machine disclosedin my copending application, Serial Number 192,935, filed October 30,1950 and entitled Knitting Machine. Accordingly, thepresent invention,is shown in association with a machine of sub? stantially the characterdisclosed in my copending-applica tion,v Serial. No. 192,935 and, sincethis machine is fully illustrated. and described in the last-namedcopending 'ap.- plication, many of the parts shown in the. presentdrawings will not be described herein in, detail and only-the functionof such parts will be hereinafter described sufficiently to define themanner in which they cooperate with the improved controls for thewidening picks.

The machine to which the present invention is shown as being applied hasmany of the principles of knitting machines heretofore in use, many ofthe parts being adapted to the machine from a machine of the type madeby Scott and Williams under their model No. B-5 and as shown in thepatent to R. W. Scott, No.,1,l52,850 of September 7, 1915. g h

tflfig fiqb d umy copending application, Serial No. 192,935, the presentmachineemploys much ofthe conventional: type of driving and clutchmechanismsof said patent for shifting from rotaryto reciprocatoryknitting vice versa and also employs the conventional type of cam shafthaving the usual patternchain and main thereon for. controlling theclutch mechanism. Tho usual type of needle cylinder and latch needleswhich move in individual slots in the periphery of the needle cylinderare provided, the needle cylinder being driven, at times, to rotate andat other times to reciprocate.

The usual type of sinker head is employed having conventional sinkerstherein which are controlled by conventional cams in a sinker capassociated therewith. A top or first auxiliary pattern drum, also termeda needle cam control pattern'drurn, is driven in a step-by-step mannerand a clutch mechanism is provided on one end of the main drive shaft ofthe machine for shogging the needle cylinder at predetermined intervals.The yarn feeding, clamping and cutting means of the present machine maybe identical to those disclosed in said copending application Serial No.192,935 and the widening and narrowing picks associated with the presentmachine are similar to those disclosed in the last-named copendingapplication.

The present invention resides in novel means for controlling the sets ofwidening picks so they may be brought into operationindividually,severally or in their entirety and wherein the widening picks cooperatewith thenarrowing picks'in increasing the number of needles in actionfrom course to course during widening in the fabric being knitted. As-amatter of fact, the improved controls for the widening picks enable suchcooperative action between the widening picks and the variable capacitynarrowing picks disclosed in said copending application Serial No.192,935 to the extent that the number of needles brought into actionwith rotation of the needle cylinder in one direction may be increasedby one or more needles while the number of needles in action may remainconstant with movement of the needle cylinder in the other directionduring reciprocatory knitting, or the number of needles. inaction withmovement of the needle cylinder in either direction may be increased byone or more needles and decreased by one or more needles upon the nextmovementor revolution of the needle cylinder in the opposite direction.Figures 16, 17, 18 and 20 show two of many different types of variegatedpatterned areas which may be formed in a tubular knitted fabric or inmens hose by meansof the improved pattern controlled widening pickscooperating with the variable-capacity der 110 (Figures hand '11) in theusual manner, as disclosed in said. Patent No. 1,152,850 and in saidcopending applications.

The needle cylinder carries the usual type of independent Iver ticallymovable latch needles such as is indicated at N in Figures 11 and 19.Each of the needles N has a butt'lll' extending outwardly from the lowerend' thereof. The latch needles N are of the conventionaltype'and-alternate ones of the needles preferably have'conventiona'lsjacks J (Figures 11 and 19) disposed therebelow which areemployed in raising alternate needlesfor taking elastic yarn in'thehooks thereof. The needles N cooperate with the usual sinkers in drawingstitches. Thesinkers, not shown, aremounted in a conventional sinkerhead113 ('Fi-gu1'-es 1, 2 and 5) supported in the usual manner? on the upperend of the needle cylinde'r 1'10" and abovewhich alatch ring 114 ismounted. The needle cylinder 1'10 extendsthrough a conventional circularbed plate or cam plate 116 adjacent which an auxiliary bed plate 117 isdisposed, the circular bed or cam plate 116 and auxiliary bed plate 117being suitablysecured to the, upright members 103,103a of the framelflflc i.

' The circular bed plate' 116 supports the various needle cams, the yarnfeed fingers, the clamping and cutting mechanisms andthe post to whichthe latch ring 114 is secured, all in a manner substantially as shown insaid copending application, Serial No. 192,935. A conventional sock horn120 is also mounted for vertical sliding movement in the circular bedplate 116, the sock horn 120 being raised and lowered in a conventionalmanner for elfecting the desired amount of tension, or length ofstitches, in the fabric being knitted.

- 'A plurality of 'yarns generally designated at Y are drawn from asuitable source, pass through suitable respective tensioning devices121, 122 and, thence, downwardly through individual yarn holding andclamping fingers (Figures 1 and each of which is designated at 123.' Theyarn holding and clamping fingers 123 may be of the type disclosed insaid last-named copending application and are individually patterncontrofled for directing the yarns Y, one at a time, through an opening124 (Figure 19) formed in the side of the latch ring 114 for selectivelydirecting the yarns to the needles N.

The lower portion of the needle cylinder 100 is surrounded by aplurality of stationary and movable needle and jack raismg and loweringcams which are shown in Figure 19 as being arranged in substantially thesame manner as disclosed in said last-named copending application.

Needle and jack raising and lowering cams Only a general descriptionwill'be given of the needle and jack raising and lowering cams and manyof the details thereof, as to how the cams are supported and operated,will be omitted, since all of the needle and jack lowering and raisingcams and the stitch cams may be mounted and controlled in identicallythe manner in said last-named copending application. Referring to Figure19, the inner or operating ends of the needle and jack controlling camsare shown, as though looking outwardly from the center of the needlecylinder, the set of stitch cams being disposed adjacent the rear of theneedle cylinder as shown in Figure 6.

A conventional cam cylinder or ring 130, of substantially greaterinternal diameter than the external diameter of the needle cylinder 110,surrounds the needle cylinder 110 and has a jack guiding ring 131 fixedto the inner surface thereof whose lower edge is spaced upwardly fromthe lower edge of the cam cylinder 130 so as to provide a slot throughwhich the butts of the needle jacks I may pass. The jack guide ring 131is cut away at one side thereof and has a conventional jack lowering cam134 and a needle guide cam 135 mounted in the space defined by thecut-away portion of the jack guide ring 131. The lower proximal portionsof cams 134, 135 are cut away to form an inverted V-shaped opening inwhich an advancing jack cam 136 is disposed for raising the needle jacksJ, alternate needles having a conventional needle jack I disposed inthe'same vertical plane for raising them so they may take the elasticyarn R (Figures 1 and 5) fed thereto by an elastic yarn feed finger 137,during the knitting of the elastic top of a stocking. The elastic yarnfeed finger 137 may be controlled in identically the manner disclosed insaid lastnamed copending application and a further description thereofis thus deemed unnecessary.'

A segmental needle support race 140 is mounted atop the jack guide ring131 and terminates at one end thereof in engagement with the cam 135.Conventional hardened cams 141, 142 are disposed at a point at the rearof the knitting machine, which, together, form a V-shaped opening fromwhich sloping respective surfaces 143, 144 of hardened cams 141, 142lead in opposite directions to return the butts of any needles, whichmay be passed into said opening'during the knitting operation, to a meanhorizontal plane.

A set of stitch cams defininga knitting s'tation'is dis posed in theV-shaped opening defined by surfaces 143 144, said knitting station orset of stitch camsbeing disposed below the yarn feed opening 124 in thelatch ring 114. The stitch cams include bottom and top center cams 145,146 and left-hand and right-hand stitch cams 147, 148. r

Although conventional narrowing picks may be employed in the presentinstance, the elfectiveness of the improved controls for the wideningpicks, to be later described, is best realized by utilization ofvariable-capacity narrowing picks of the type disclosed in saidlast-named copending application Serial No. 192,935. Accordingly,variable-capacity narrowing picks of this type are shown in Figures 6and 19, the left-hand narrowing pick being broadly designated at 150 andthe right-hand widening pick being broadly designated at 151. Thenarrowing picks 150, 151 will be later described in detail.

Reading from rightto left in Figure 19, the needle cams include upperand lower stationary needle leveling cams 152, 153 which are provided toinsure that needles Will be directed to respective right-hand andleft-hand widening pick feed cams 154', 155 at the properelevation. Thewidening pick feed cams 154, 155 are shiftable'ra dially inwardly andoutwardly relative to the needle cylinder according to a predeterminedpattern. As the needles N move from right to left in Figure 19, thoseneedles whose butts 111 are disposed on a level between the levelingcams 152, 153 are lowered by the right-hand widening pick feed cam 154when it is in operative posi-' tion and those needles which are disposedon said mean horizontal plane, that is, below the, level of the lowerleveling cam 153,are elevated by a first elevating'switch cam 156 whenthe latter cam is in operative position, 'de; pending upon the lengthsofthe butts 111 on the corre} sponding needles N. 1

Referring to the left-hand portion of Figure 19, as the needles movefrom left to right, any needles whose butts 111 are disposed'on a levelbetween the leveling cams 152, 153 may be lowered by the left-handwidening pick feed cam 155 and any needles whose butts are disposed onsaid mean horizontal level may be elevated by; a second needle elevatingswitch cam 157 when the latter is in operaitve position and dependingupon the length of the butts of the corresponding needles; At times whenthe right-hand widening pick feed cam 154 is in operative position andduring counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder, this willdirect the butts of certain of the needles downwardly to a set or pairof first and second right hand widening picks 163, 164, respectively.

Upon the left-hand widening pick feed cam 155 being moved to operativeposition and during clockwise movement of the needle cylinder, cam 155will direct the butts of certain needles downwardly to engage a set orpair of first and second left-hand widening picks 165, 166,respectively. The right-hand and left-hand widening picks each have acapacity for engaging and lowering two needles when the widening picksare positioned for reception of the butts of the leading needlesdirected downwardly by the respective widening pick feed cams 154, 155.The Widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive,-are constructed and supportedin substantially the same manner as the widening picks shown in saidlast-named copending application, as will be later described. However,novel means peculiar to thepre'sent invention are provided forpositioning the widening picks 163 tov 166, inclusive, in operative orneedle-butt. receivingposition either individually or in their entirety,this being one of the important features of the present invention. Themounting and controls for the widening picks will be later described.

Disposed to the left of and below the level of the right-hand wideningpicks 163, 164 in Figure 19 is a first needle lowering switch cam whichis normally disposed out of the path of travel of the butts of all theneedlestin'the needlecirclebut'is adapted to 'engagethe buttsofalternatev needles, which are directed thereto by the corresponding,jacks J 1 in knitting the elastic top of a stockingwherebythe butts ofall the needles are in lowered, position sothey engage and ride up therighthand hardened cam 142 to direct the butts of the needles throughthe stitch cams. Spaced above the right-hand hardened cam 142 and to theright of the right-hand stitch cam 148 is a third elevating switch cam171 above which a portion of a second lowering switch cam 172 isdisposed.

Disposed to the left and above the stitch cam 147 is an auxiliary needleleveling cam 173, this being a stationary cam. All of the cams describedand shown in Figure 19 may be mounted in identically the same manner asthat disclosed in said last-named copending application and, therefore,only so much of certain of these cams will be described in detail as isnecessary to a clear understanding of the present invention. 7 It mightbe stated that the right-hand widening pick feed cam 154 is controlledas to radial inward and outward movement relative to the needle cylinderby suitable cams on a lower auxiliary pattern drum 175; the firstelevating switch cam 156 (Figure 19) is controlled by the lowerauxiliary pattern drum 1 75 and by suitable cams on a top auxiliarypattern drum 176 (Figures 1, 2 and 5); the second elevating switch cam157 (Figures 6 and 19) is controlled by suitable cams on the topauxiliary pattern drum176; the first needle lowering cam 170 iscontrolled by suitable cams onthe lower' auxiliary pattern drum 175; andthe third elevating switch cam 171 andthe secin identically the samemanner as that disclosed in said last-named copending application and,therefore, the in tervening connections between the needle control cams156, 157, 170, 171, 172 and the corresponding auxiliary pattern drumswill'not, be described. The top and lower auxiliary pattern drums 176,175 are also mounted and are pattern controlled for intermittentrotation in identically the manner, disclosed in said last-namedcopending application and a further description of these pattern drumsis also deemed unnecessary.

In order that the advantages of the improved controls for the wideningpicks 163 to 166, inclusive, may be fully realized, the present machineis equipped with means for shogging the needle cylinder, whichmeans isbroadly designated at 200 in Figure 2. The shogging means 200 in thepresent application is identical to the shogging means disclosed in saidlast-named'copendingapplication Serial No. 192,935 and the butts of theneedles in the needle circle may also be arranged in substantially thesame manner as thatdescribed in said last-named copending application.Since the shogging means 200 is fully disclosed in said last-namedcopending application, only a brief description thereof will now begiven.

Theshogging' means 200 generally comprises a shogging"disk,201 which isfixed on the end of the shaft 108 onwhich the cylinder-driving gear 107is loosely mounted and which shogging disk 201 carries a pivoted latchor locking finger 202 (Figure 2) adapted to selectively engage, one at atime, a plurality of notches 11 formed in' the periphery of a lockingdisk 203 fixed on the outer surface of the cylinder-driving gear 107.The position of the locking finger or latch 202 is determined by apattern controlled shogging crank arm 204 pivoted on .a vertical shaft205 (Figures 2 and 5) depending from the circular bed plate 116.

It'is thus seen that, when the latch or locking finger 202 ,is inengagement withany one of the notches n in the locking disk-203,rotational movement of the shaft 108 is transmitted to thecylinder-driving gear 107 to, in turn, impart corresponding movement to.the needle cylinder'110. "Thus, the means for shogging the needlecylincauses acer'taiu group, representing a portion of the,

, "i needlesinithe needlecircle, to. move equidistant past the knittingstation in knitting a first portion of a stocking during,reciprocatory'knitting, for example, When theneedle cylinderisshogged,thepattern controlled arm 204 releases the latch'or locking finger 202from engagement with its corresponding notch n in the locking disk 203sothe shaft 108 then causes the shogging disk 201 to rotate relative tothe gear 107. The shogging operation is furthercarried out by the arm204 subsequently causing the latch or locking finger 202 to move intoanother notch 1 in the periphery of the locking disk 203 whereuponmovement is again imparted to the needle cylinder 110.

The shogging of the needle cylinder causes either a group of needlesopposite the first-named group to move equidistant past the knittingstation during reciprocatory knitting or to cause, another group ofneedles, including some or the needles in the first group along withadditional needles from the second group, to move equidistant past theknitting station in order to, produce triangular or rectilinear areas inknitted fabric wherein the junctures of adjacent areas, generallyreferred to as the suture, may extend at an angle relative to the walesand courses being knitted. v t

V urz'able-capacit y' narrowing picks As heretofore stated, thenarrowing picks 150, 151 are preferablytof the type disclosed in saidlast-named co pending application; .Due to the fact that each of thefour widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, when in operative position,engages the butts of two needles, depending upon the direction ofrotation of the needle cylinder. Now, at times, it is necessary that asingle needle be picked up by one of the narrowing picks during eachmovement of the needle cylinder in either direction and, at other times,it is necessary that one or both of the narrowing picks 150, 151 pickuptwo needles during movement oftthe needle cylinder in either directionand, at still other times, it is necessary that neither of the narrowingpicks 150, 151 picks up any needles during each movement of theneedlecylinder in either direction.

Since the means for varying the capacity of the narrowing picks 150,-151shown in the present drawings is identical to that described in saidlast-named copending application, onlya sufficient description thereofwill be given to provide a clear understanding of the present invention.A more detailed description will be later given of the means for movingthe narrowing picks to inoperative position so they will not raise anyneedles. The capacity of the narrowing picks 150, 151 is varied so thesepicks may pick up either one or two needles by means under control of aconventional main pattern drum 210 (Figure 2) and, at certain times, theright-hand narrowing pick 151 is elevated to inoperative position tothus move the pick to operative position by means under control ofsuitable cams on the top auxiliary pattern drum 176, although theright-handnarrowing pick 151 may not have been moved to inoperativeposition by any of the butts of 'thc needles moving from right to leftin Figure 19 having engaged the same.

For example, during the shogging operations of the needle cylinder, allthe needles in the needle circle assume an elevated position so thebutts thereof pass above the stitch cams and, upon going into theknitting of a rectilinear area following'a shogging operation, twoneedles are moved downwardly to passthrough the stitch cams as theneedle cylinder moves in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 6. It isapparent that, upon these two needles being moved downwardly, if theright-hand narrowing pick 151' is then in operative position, these twoneedles would engage and be elevated to inoperative pdsition by theright-hand narrowing pick 151. It is essential that these two firstneedles remain ina lowered position and pass through the stitch camsand, therefore, the righthand narrowing pick 151 is elevated toinoperative posiiion by suitable cafns on the top auxiliary pattern drumor first needle cam control pattern drum 176.

Generally, the narrowing picks 150,151are each universally mounted on abase 211 suitably secured to the rear portion of the circular bed plate116 (Figures 6 and 15). 7 Each narrowing pick 150, 151 is provided witha notch 212 in the inner free end or working end thereof,

this notch being open at the inner edge of the correspondingnarrowingpick. The width of each notch 212 is such as to engage two needle buttsprojecting from the needle cylinder and to then swing upwardly withmoveinent of the needle cylinder 110 by virtue of corresponding liftingcams 213 supported on respective brackets 215 and engaging the lowersurfaces of the corresponding narrowing picks 150, 151 adjacent theworking ends thereof. The brackets 215 also support the right-hand andleft-hand stitch cams 148, 147.

The medial portions of the narrowing picks 150, 151

outwardly of the points at which they are pivotally mounted on the bases211, have opposite ends of a composite or extensiblelink 214 pivotallyconnected thereto, which link 214 is pattern controlled as to itseffective length. and-pin connection between opposite ends of thecomposite link 214 and the corresponding narrowing picks 150,151 and, asis clearly disclosed in said last-named copending application, thepattern controlled means for varying the length of the composite link214 varies the distance between the remote walls of the slots inopposite ends of the composite link 214. The purpose of thecompositelink' 214 is to control the length of the arc of movement ofthe working ends of the narrowing picks 150, 151.

, For example, when each of the narrowing picks 150, 151 is conditionedfor receiving the butts of two needles, they are swung by the needlebutts during each movement of the needle cylinder in each direction apredetermined distance until the butts pass thereby. On the other hand,when the narrowing picks 150, 151 are conditioned for receiving the buttof but a single needle, it is obvious that the narrowing pick 150 or151, as the case may be, would move toward the other of the narrowingpicks a greater distance when elevated by the butt of a single needlethan would be the case when they are engaged by the butts of twoneedles. Thus, the length of the composite link 214 is relativelygreater when narrowing one needle with each movement of the needlecylinder in each direction than it is when narrowing two needles witheach movement of the needle cylinder in each direction.

Now, in order to vary the capacity of each of the narrowing picks 150,151, each narrowing pick 150, 151 is provided with a pattern controlledpick restrictor 216 (Figures 6 and 15) which is controlledby'intervening connections between each narrowing pick 150, 151 and themain pattern drum 210, said intervening connections not being shown inthe present drawings but being clearly shown in said last-namedcopending application. Thus, when oneneedle is to be elevated by eitherof the narrowing picks 150, 151, the corresponding restrictor 216,

It'will be noted in Figure 6 that there is a slotwhich is in the form ofan elongated bar, moves inwardly I toward the needle cylinder 110 andreduces the size of the corresponding notch 212 to thereby limit thecapacity of the corresponding narrowing pick so that only a singleneedle can be picked up by the corresponding narrowing pick.

On the other hand, when called for by the pattern mechanisms, the pickrestrictors 216 are individually moved radially'outwardly relative tothe needle cylinder 110 to thereby increase the size of thecorresponding notches 212 in the narrowing picks 150, 151 so that theyare then in condition for each receiving the butts of two needles forraising the same to pass above the stitch cams with correspondingmovement of the needle cylinder 110.

In order to control the position of the right-hand nar- 10 rowingfpick151 when it is necessary that the right-handnarrowing pick' 151 beelevatedto inoperative position,

although it may not have been moved to inoperative position by any ofthe butts of the needles moving from right to left in Figure 19, thesame intervening connections are provided between the auxiliary patterndrum 176 and the right-hand widening pick 151 as are disclosed in saidlastnamed copending application, said intervening connections includinga clip 220 carried by the right-hand narrowing The forward portion ofthe narrowing pick control fin ger 222 is normally biased against theperiphery of the top auxiliary or first needle cam control pattern drum176 and is adapted to be successively engaged by suitable circularlyspaced cams, not shown, on the drum 176, as is clearly illustrated anddescribed in said last-named co pending application. The presentinvention also includes a novel left-hand narrowing pick lifter lever223 (Figures 6 and 15) which is provided to render the narrowing picks150, 151 inoperative at certain times. One end of the lever 223 has afoot portion integral therewith which engages the lower surface of theleft-hand narrowing pick and will, at times, raise the pick 150 to aposition above the level of the left-hand stitch cam 147 so that anyneedles N which are raised by the stitch cam 147 will pass therebeneath.The pick 150 is raised high enough for the butts 111 on the needles N topass therebeneath, but is not raised high enough to engage the butts 111on'the needles N which pass above the cam 173 (Figure 19). An adjustablestop in the form of a screw 2230 is positioned beneath the lever 223(Figure 15 and is engaged by said lever upon the inner end of the lever223 raising the left-hand narrowing pick to inoperative position. Thelower endof the screw 223a is shown threadably em bedded in the footportion of the bracket 225 on which the lever 223 is oscillatablymounted (Figure 15).

Heretofore, during a widening operation, in order to widen two needlesin each course during reciprocatory knitting it has been necessary tolower two needles with each widening pick, into knitting position, andraise two of the lowered needles with the corresponding narrowing pickso that only two additional needles would pass through the stitch camswith each movement of the needle cylinder. .Now, in order to increasethe number of needles knitting in each course "by two it is onlynecessary to lower two needles with one of the widening picks at eachside of the machine and raise the left-hand narrowing: pick 150 toinoperative position so that the two lowered needles pass through thestitch cams. This simplified method of widening greatly decreases thepossibility of accidentally lowering needles as well as reducing the.number of working parts during widening, since only one widening pick ateach side of the needle cylinder has to work during each'movernent ofthe needle cylinder. to increase the length of each course by twoadditional needle wales. v

The lever 223 is oscillatably secured intermediate its ends, as at 224(Figures 6 and 15), on .a standard 225, the lower end of which is fixedon the bed plate- 116. The outer end of the lever 223 has one end of aBowden wire 226 secured thereto, as at 226a, the casing of which issecured to the bed plate 116 by a suitable clamp'226b (Figure 15). Theopposite end of the Bowden wire 226 issecured to an outwardly extendingarm 227, as at 227a (Figure 12), fixed on a lever 228.

The lever 228 is oscillatably mounted on the upper end of .a post 228a,the lower end of which is fixed on the plate 117 and the reading end ofthe'lever 228 is resili ently' urged against the periphery of the drum176 by a 11 tensionspring- 228b, at times, and at other times is urgedagainst camsf229 fixed on the drum 176 and spaced therearound accordingto the desired pattern. 7 One end of the spring 228b is fixed on thelever 228 and the other end thereof is fixed to a spring perch 2280fixed to the plate Improved controls for widening picks As disclosed insaid coperiding application Serial No; 192,935, in addition to theright-hand widening pick feed cam 154 being individually controlled bythe lower auxil- As disclosed in said last-named copending application,

the top auxiliary pattern drum or first needle cam control pattern drum176. is intermittently rotated in a step-bystep manner by a ratchetmechanism controlled by a continuously driven rotary cam drum steppingcylinder 231 (Figures 1, 3 and 4), this stepping cylinder 231 beingjournaled on a shaft 232 which is, in part, supported by a bracket 233fixed to a rearwardly projecting portion 234 (Figure 3) of the auxiliarybed plate 117. Since the intervening connections between the topauxiliary pattern drum 176 and stepping cylinder 231 for driving thedrum 176 in a step-by-step manner are clearly shown and described in thesaid last-named copending application, a detailed illustration anddescription thereof is deemed unnecessary. As a matter of fact, thestepping cylinder 231 is only described in the present applicationbecause it is instrumental in controlling the movement of the wideningpick feed cams 154, 155 'during widening operations. j

As is the case in said lastnamed copending application, the outerportions of the stems of the right-hand and lefthand widening pick feedcams 154,155 each have a protuberance 236 thereon which is in the 'formof an angle clip (Figure 6). The angle clips 236 are each adapted to beresiliently engaged by one of a pair of substantially L-shaped dogs 237oscillatably mounted on opposite ends of a substantially V-shaped feedcam actuating arm 238. The inner ends of the L-shaped dogs 237 arenormally urged inwardly by respective tension springs 239. Thecentral-portion of the V-shaperl cam actuating arm 233 is fixedon theupper end of a post 240 journaled in a bracket 241 suitably secured tothe front surface of ,the circular bed plate 116 (Figures 1, 2, 5 and6). I

The post 240 loosely penetrates the bracket 241, is suitably restrainedfrom vertical movement therein'and has one end of a crank arm 242 fixedthereto and extending rearwardly therefrom. One end of a link 243 ispivotally connected to the rear end of arm 242. Link 243 extends to theright in Figures 1 and 5 and is pivotally connected, as at 244 (Figures1 and 3),,to the front end of a lever 245. The lever 245 is pivotallysupported intermediate its endson a stud orpost .246 suitably secured toand extending upwardly from the auxiliary bed plate 117 (Figure 3). g Itwill be observed in Figures 1 and 3 that lever 245. extends rearwardlyand has an outwardly and downwardly projecting portion 250 on its rearend (Figures l and 4) on which one end of a pivoted follower support.251is pivotally mounted, as at 252. It will be observed 'in; Figure 4 thatthe pivoted follower support 251 projects into the hollow steppingcylinder 231 and hasan upwardly projecting follower 253 thereon which isadapted to, at times, engage the inneredges ofja pa'irpf circularlyspaced cams 254 suitably secured to the inner surface of the steppingcylinder 231. It will be observed in Figures 3 and 4 that the medialportion'of the follower support 251 rests upon and is controlled by alever 256 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on thebracket 233 heretofore described. The rear end of lever 256 has one endof a Bowden wire 257 connected thereto, the upperend of the housing ofwhich is clampingly or otherwise secured to the rear end of an arm 260whose front end is suitably secured to the outer surface of bracket 233.Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the Bowden wire 257 extends downwardlyfrom lever 2S6, beneath the, base plate 101 and then upwardly on theother side thereof where the housing of Bowden wire 257 is clampingly orotherwise secured, as at 262, to a bracket 263 (Figure 2) carried by theframe 100. The Bowden wire 257 then extends upwardly and out of itshousing where it is pivotally connected to the outer end of a camfollower lever 2.6.4. The cam follower lever-264 extends rearwardly andis pivoted on a rod 265 projecting from the uprising frame member 103aand the other end of the lever 264 is alternately engaged :by theperiphery of the lower auxiliary pattern drum. 175 and suitablecircularly spaced cams 265a thereon (Figure 2). a

The reading end of the cam follower lever 264 is resiliently urgedtoward the lower auxiliary pattern .drum

175 .by a spring 266 one end of which is secured to the lever 264 andthe other endof which is fixed .to the bed plate 116 (Figure 2). Histhus seen that, when the reading end of the follower lever 264 is inengagement with the periphery of the lower auxiliary pattern drum 175,the follower support 251 (Figure 4). occupies substantially horizontalor operative position so the irregular inner edges of the cams 254 willimpart reciprocatory movement to follower 253 inwardly and outwardly Vas they move in engagement with the cam follower 253. In so doing,theintervening linkage between the follower support 251 and the post 240(Figures 1 and S) imparts rocking movement to the feed cam actuating arm238 to thereby impart corresponding inward and outward movement to thewidening pick feed cams 154, (Figures 6 and 11). It is apparent that,when ,a cam 265a engages follower lever 264, lever 256 is movedcounterclockwise in Figure 3 to permit follower 253 to move, downwardly,by gravity (Figured), out of engagement with cams 254.

Now, in said last-named copending application, either set of wideningpicks was moved into operative position by movementof the other set ofwidening picks into inoperative position as effected by said other setor at least one of the widening picks in said other set being engagedand lowered by engagement with the butts of corresponding needles as theneedle cylinder rotated in the corresponding direction. However, in thepresent mstance, each set of widening picks is moved inwardly, and, attimes, into operative position, through oscillation of the feed camactuating arm 2-38, as imparted thereto by the means heretoforedescribed.

To this end, the feed cam ,actuating arm 238 has the front ends of apair of rearwardly diverging widening p1 ck activating arms 270, 270fixed thereto whose hooked free rear endsalternately engage respectiveabutments 2 71, 271' which are in the form of the vertical legs of angleclips in Figures 6, 7, 8, l0 and 11. The substantially horizontallegs'of the angle clips 27 1, 271 extend outwardly and are fixed to theupper bifurcated ends of respective vertically disposed shafts 272, 272'which serve as parts of universal mountings for the respective innerright-hand and left-hand widening picks 163, 1 65.

Since both the right-hand and left-hand sets of widenmg picks 163, 164and 165, 166 are mounted and controlled .in an identical manner, exceptbeing opposite hand, onlya detailed description will be givenas to themanner in which the set of right-hand widening picks left-hand wideningpicks .165, 166.,

n will be observed in Figures ,6, and 111 that the shank. or medialportion ofj'the' widening pick. 164 is oscillatably mounted for movementabout a'substantially horizontal axis in the slottedor bifurcated upperend of the vertically. disposed shaft 272 and the shank or.

medial portion of the outer right-hand widening pick 164 is mounted forpivotal movementabout a substantially horizontal axis in the bifurcated'orjslotted upper .end of a substantially vertically disposedv shaft273. Referring to Figure 11,,it will be, noted that each of thevertically disposed shafts 272, 273 has areduced lower portion 274oscillatably mounted'in' vertically'spaced outwardly projectingears 275,276 integral with a block 277 suitably secured to the upper surface ofthe circular bed plate 116. i a l p a The universal mounting for each ofthe widening picks 163, 164 also includes a'suitable spring anchor 280projecting radially from the lower portion 274 of the correspondingvertically disposed shaft, between the projections or ears 275, 276. Thelower end of a tension spring 281 is connected to theispring. anchor280, in each instance, and the upper end'of the spring 281 is conscrewserves'as an abutment for engaging the shank of the outerright-hand'widening pick 164. It is thus seen that, each time the feedcam actuating arm 238 moves in a clockwise direction in Figure 6 thepick activating arm 270 engages the angle clip 271to impartcounterclock-' wise movement to the inner or first'right-hand wideningpick 163 which will, in turn, impartcorresponding movement to the outeror second right-hand .widening pick l64- by meansof the adjustmentscrew284 Movement of the inner or'first right-hand widening toward theforward and rearward axis of the knitting m'a chine cylinder 110. As aresult, the widening picks could not be swung inwardly toward the centerof the machine without being raised and thus moved into operative posi--tion so they would necssarily lower the leading needles of any needleswhich had been positioned in the operating level thereof in the courseof rotation of the needle cylin' der in the corresponding directionduring reciprocatory knitting.

Although the last-named copending application shows means to render oneof the widening picks of' one set inoperative, so that only two needlesare lowered upon movement of the needle cylinder in the correspondingpick 163 in a counterclockwise direction is limited by engagement of theangle clip271 with an abutment 285 (Figures 6 and 10) which is alsoshown in the form of an'angle clip and may be secured to any stationarypart of the machine. In this instance, the abutments, stops or angleclips 285, 285' are suitably secured to respective plates 286, 286'(Figures 10 and 7, respectively), which plates hold the stems of thewidening pick feed cams 155, 154 in sliding engagement with respective.blocks 287, 287', said blocks 287, 287' being suitably secured to theupper surface of the circular bed plate 116. It will be noted that thefirst and second elevating switch cams 156 and 157 are also mounted forradial sliding movement in the respective blocks 287, 2871 As heretoforestated, the widening'pick feed cams-154, 155 and the first and secondelevating switch cams 156 and, 157 are supported for radialslidingmovement in identically the manner disclosed in said last-namedcopending application and, therefore, adetailed description thereof willnot be given. i The'parts associated'with the widening picks 163 to166,'inclusive,- thus far described, with the exception of theac'tivating'arms 270, 270' and the angle clips 271, 271' and 285, 285'are substantially the. same as corresponding parts described andillustrated in said last-named copending application; In said'last-named copending application, the outer portions of thershanks ofthe widening picks rests upon cam plates having inclined surfacesthereon which would automatically move the operating ends of thewidening picks upwardly into operative position each time the wideningpicks were swung inwardly direction and wherein one of said two needlesis subsequently raised to'pass above the stitch cams by thecorresponding narrowing pick while widening in the heel and toe of astocking, for example, this has automatically caused one of the wideningpicks in the otherset to also be inoperative so that a single additionalneedle has been brought into action with each movement of the needlecylinder in each direction. Accordingly, in utilizing the control meansfor the widening picks as disclosed in said last-named copendingapplication, it has been necessary to lower either two or four needlesand subsequently respectively raise either one or two needles with eachmovment of the needle cylinder in each direction during rciprocatoryknitting whereby it has been necessary to increase the number ofstitches drawn by the same amountupon movementof the needle cylinder ineach clockwise direction as has been necessary with each movement of theneedle cylinder .in counterclockwise direction. In

other words, the corresponding portions of the Argyle patches thusformed have been formed symmetrical each side of the longitudinal centerthereof.

In order that the number of needles thrown into action with eachmovement ofthe needle cylinder in either direction may be increased byeither one needle or two needles or the number of needles may remainconstant from course to course, regardless of whether the number ofneedles thrown into action is increased by either one needle or' twoneedles or the number of needles remain constant withfsubsequentmovement of the needle cylinder in the other direction, a novel patterncontrolled selector means is provided for each of the sets of wideningpicks 163, 164 and 165, 166 which will cause One or both of the wideningpicks in eitherset to either remain on a lowered or inoperative level orcause either one or both of the widening picks in either set to beraised from a lowered inoperative level to a raised operative level asthe widening picks at opposite sides of the machine are alternatelymoved inwardly toward the center of the machine.

To this end, it will be observed in Figures 10, ll, 7, 8 and 9 that theouter portions of the respective sets of right-hand and left-handwidening picks 163, 164 and 165, 166 resiliently bear against the uppersurfaces of righthand and left-hand widening pick cam plates 290, 290'whose upper edges are generally flat and extend in a substantiallyhorizontal plane and have respective pairs of spaced projections orabutments 291, 292 and 291', 292' thereon for limiting the inwardmovement of the corresponding sets of widening picks 163, 164 and 165,166 toward the longitudinal axis of the needle cylinder which willhereinafterbe termed as the longitudinal center of the machine. V a

7 It will be noted that the surfaces of the projections or abutments291, 292 and 291, 292 which are adapted to be engaged by theouter endportions of the shanks of the respective widening picks 163 to 166,inclusive, define the outer walls of respective notches 293, 294. Theinclined inner walls of notches 291, 292, 291, 292' serve as camsurfaces downwardly against which the outer portions, of thecorresponding widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, move as they are'swung outwardly with respect to the longitudinal center of the machineby the corresponding anagram activatingarms 270,270, Thus, the operatingor needle,

engaging ends of the widening picks are moved upwardly in, the course ofsuch outward and'downward movement of the outer portions or shanksthereof to occupy operating-level positions. It is apparent that, whenany of the widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, are subsequently swungoutwardly at their needle engaging ends relative to the center of themachine, the outer portions or tails thereof ride up the inclined camsurfaces formed by the notches 293 to 29 4, inclusive, so the movementof the butts of any needles thereagainst causesthe reading or needleengaging ends of the widening-picks to move downwardlyto lower thecorresponding needles to where those needles whose butts arenotsubsequently engaged by a corresponding narrowing pick and elevatedthereby will pass through the stitch cams to form stitches therewith.

It will be observed in Figures 8, 9 and 11 that the right-hand andleft-hand widening pick control guide cams or cam plates 290, 290-are'formed integral with respective guide blocks 295, 295' suitablysecured to. the respective widening pick pivot shaftsupporting blocks277, 277'. It will also be noted that the widening pick control cams290, 290' define the inner walls of respective grooves 296, 296' formedin the upper edges of the guide blocks 295, 295'. The outer walls of therespective grooves 296, 296' are disposed on a substantially lower levelthan the upper edges ofthe respective widening pick control cams 290,290. Widening pick selector cams or guide restrictor plates 297, 297'are mounted for longitudinal movement in the respective grooves296y 296'and it will be noted that the upper edges of selectorcams 297, 29 7(Figures and 7, respectively) are disposed on substantially the same,level as the flat upper edges of the respective widening pick guide camplates 2 90, 290. t y

The upper edges, of the selector cams or plates 297, 297' haverespective notches 300, 300' in thecentral portions thereof which are ofsubstantially the same configuration as and are adapted to, at times,register with the1respective notches 294, 294' in the upper edges ofthe, respective guide plates 290, 290'. The outer ends of the selectorcams or plates 297, 297' have respective inclined cam surfaces 301, 301thereon which are adapted to, at times, register with the inclined innerwalls of the notches 293, 293' in the respective widening pick camplates 290, 290.

It will be noted that with partial movement of the selector cam 297, forexample, from left to right in Figure 7 to the intermediate positionshown in Figure ,13 the cam surface 301' registers with the inclinedsurface of the notch 293' and, with partial movement of the selector cam297 from right to left in Figure 10, the cam surface 301 registers withthe inclined surface of the notch 293. With the selector cams or plates297, 297' occupying the latter positions, it is apparent that the innerends of the first right-hand and left-hand widening picks 163, 165 willremain in lowered or inoperative position throughout oscillatorymovement thereof as imparted thereto by the respective activating arms270, 270 in one direction and as is imparted to the outer or secondright-hand and left-hand widening picks 16 4, 166 by the butts of anyneedles directed thereto with movement of the needle cylinder in thecorresponding directions.

When the widening pick selector cams or plates 297, 297' occupy thepositions shown in Figures 10 and .7, respectively, it is apparent that,with oscillation of the widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, in eitherdirection about their respective vertical axes, all of the wideningpicks 163 to 166, inclusive, will remain inactive. As matter of fact,immediately following the movement of either or both of the selectorcams 297, 297' to the positions shown in Figures 10 and 7, respectively,as imparted thereto by the activating arms 270, 270, the operating endsof both of the widening picks in each set will remain in an inwardposition relative to the longitudinal center responding movements oftheneedle cylinder, it is ap parent that the selector cams or plates 297,297' are thenmoved inwardly to where the notches. 300, 300. registerwith the respective notches, 2:914, 294' to thereby open, boththernotches 293, 294 qna zos', 294 in the respective-cam plates 290-,2901 as shown .in Figure 14. Now,-

the position of the selector plates 297,297 is individually patterncontrolled so, thefselector cam 297, for example, may occupy fullyoperative po s ition; with its notch 300, in; register with the notch294 in the cam plate 290 and the selector earn 297 may still occupy theposition shown inFigure7i i I i In other words, each of the selectorcams or plates N 297, 297 may be caused tooccupy any one of the threepositions heretofore described and shown in Figures 7, 13 and 14independently of the other of said selector plates according to apredetermined pattern. It will be observed in Figures 10 and 7 that theselector plates or cams 297, 297' are normally urged outwardly towardfully operative position, to, render the respective sets of widening P 3164 and 165, impe a ve by mea respective tension springs 303, 3035 whoseouter ends, with respect to the longitudinal center of themachine, aresuitably anchored, as at 304, 304', to the respective guide blocks 295,29 5 and whose innerv ends are suitably anchored to the selector plates297, 297'.

In this instance, the inner end of the tension spring 303 is anchoredvto the outer end of a pivotshaft 305 (Figure 10) and the inner end ofthe tension spring 303' I is anchored to an abutment, pin or projection305' (Figures 7, l3 and 14) projecting forwardly fromthe selector cam297. The pivot pin or shaft 305 has one end of V a link 306 pivotallyconnected thereto and extending inwardly therefrom, toward the center ofthe machine, and whose inner end'is' pivotally connected to the,substantially vertical arm of a bell crank 3071 The bell crank 307 isoscillatably mounted, as at 310, on a bracket 311 suitably secured to afi xed part of the machine, such as the cam block 287. I

The other, substantially horizontal, leg of the bell crank 307 has theupper end of a link' 312 pivotally connected thereto whose lower end ispivotally connected to the front end of one of the follower levers 177(Figure 2) heretofore described. The latter follower lever 177 is urgedupwardly against the periphery of the lower auxiliary pattern drum oragainst the stepped surfaces of corresponding circularly spa ced cams314, fixed to the periphery of the lower auxiliary pattern drum 175, bymeans of the tension spring303 (Figure 10).

Referring to Figures 7, l3 and 14 it will be observed that the spring303 urges the pin or abntrnent 305' against the upper portion ofa controllever 307 oscillatably mounted, as at 310', on a fixed part of themachine, such as the base block 277'. The front end of a link 312' ispivotally connected to the lower end of thelever 307'. Link 312" curvesrearwardly' (Figures 2 and6) and loosely penetrates the lower end oflthesubstantially vertical arm of a bell crank 3 15 and has an abutment orcollar 316 fixed on its rear end which is normally urged against saidarm of the bell crank :315 by the spring 303 and an additional tensionspring, 317. 9

One end of the tension spring 317 (Figure 2) is connected to thecircular bed'plate 116 and its other end is connected to a collar 320adjustably secured on the link 312. The springs 303, 317 also normallyurge the substantially horizontal leg of the bell crank 315 against theupper surface of an off-set substantially horizontal portion 321 of athrust rod 322 (FiguresZ and 6) guided 17 in an upper thrust rod guide327, in which many of the other thrust rods, not described in thepresent application but clearly shown and described in said last-namedco-pending application, are guided for vertical movement. The guide 327is suitably supported by the circular bed plate 116.

The thrust rod 322 extends downwardly and is guided adjacent its lowerend in a conventional lower thrust rod guide 329 (Figure 2) and itslower end either bears against the periphery of the main pattern drum210 or it is engaged and elevated by the stepped surfaces of circularlyspaced cams 330 (Figure 2) suitably secured to the periphery of the maincam drum 210.

It is thus seen that, when the cam follower arm 177 to which the link312 is connected and the lower end of the thrust rod 322 are engaged bythe lower auxiliary pattern drum 175 and the main pattern drum 210,respectively, which may be termed as the lowermost cam surfaces, thewidening pick selector cams 297, 297' occupy the positions shown inFigures and 7, respectively, so the inner ends of all the widening picksremain below operating level and remain inoperative. When the camfollower arm 177 connected to link 312 and the thrust rod 322 areengaged by the intermediate cam surfaces on any one of the respectivecams 314 and 330, it is apparent that the respective selector cams 297,297' are moved inwardly, toward the longitudinal center of the machine,to intermediate positions to open the outer notches 293, 293 so theinner ends of the corresponding outer widening picks or second wideningpicks 164, 166 will be elevated to operative position'each time theyswing inwardly toward the center of the machine, as such movement isimparted thereto by outward movement of the correspondingrwidening pickactivating arms 270, 270'.

On the other hand, the inner or first right-hand and left-hand wideningpicks 163, 165 will remain on an inoperating level each time they aremoved inwardly toward the center of the machine in the manner described.Thus, -as the butts of needles are directed downwardly by the wideningpick feed cams 154, 155 with respective counterclockwise and clockwisemovements of the needle cylinder in Figure 6, it is apparent that theleading tw'o needles will be engaged by the respective outer wideningpicks 164, 166 and lowered thereby. Of course, when only two needles arelowered bythe widening picks with movement of the'needle cylinderinone'direction or the other or both, the corresponding narrowing pick orpicks 150, 151 may then be restricted by the corresponding restrictorbars 2167so they will only pick up one needle and move the same toinoperative position or the narrowing picks 150, 151 may both be movedto inoperative position, in the manner previously described so that theydo not pick up either of the needles lowered by the widening picks 164,166.

It is apparent that, upon the follower arm 177, to which link 312 isconnected, and the-thrust rod 322 being engaged by the high surfaces ofany one of the corresponding cams 314 or 330, the corresponding selectorcams or plates 297, 297 will be moved inwardly to fully inoperativeposition as shown in Figure 14 to; thereby render both of the wideningpicks operative in the corresponding set. It is apparent that thestepped cams 314, '330 on the respective pattern drums 175, 210 and thesurfaces thereon may be arranged in any desired order so the positionsof the widening pick selector cams 297, 297' are independentlycontrolled and the stepped cams 314 and 330 may also be divided betweenthe lower and upper levels thereof to form separate low and high cams.

It is thus seen that the cams for controlling the capacity of thenarrowing picks, the cams 229 for controlling operation of the narrowingpicks and the cams 314, 330 for controlling the wideningpicksmay .bearranged so that one or two additional needles may pass through thestitch cams during a widening' operation with movement of the needlecylinder in one direction regardless of the 18 number of additionalneedles which pass through the stitch cams with intervening movements ofthe needle cylinder in the other direction.

Narrowing and widening variations The conditions of the narrowingpicks'150,'151 and the widening picks 163 to 166, inclusive, foreifecti'ng different forms of widening and narrowing operations areitemized as follows:

I. This condition of the narrowing and widening picks is used when it isdesired to knit a pattern area in which each succeeding course isshortened by one needle at one end thereof and is referred to as anarrowing operation.- In this instance, both of the right-hand wideningpicks 163, 164 and both of the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 areinactive and the narrowing pick restrictors 216 are both in theirinnermost or operative positions so that the narrowing picks 150, 151each has a capacity for raising one needle to inoperative positionduring respective clockwise and counterclockwise movements of the needlecylinder 110. In order to move both the righthand and left-hand sets ofwidening picks to inactive posi tion, the widening pick selector cams297, 297 will be moved to the positions shown in Figures 10 and 7, respectively. Thus, with each counterclockwise movement of the needlecylinder 110, the leading needle of the then active or lowered group ofneedles engages the right-hand narrowing pick 151 and is raised upwardlythereby to move said needle to inoperative position above the top centerstitch cam 146 and to thus decrease the number of needles passingthrough the stitch cam by one with each counterclockwise movement of theneedle cylinder. Upon the intervening clockwise movements of the needlecylinder 110, the leading needle of the group of lowered of operativeneedles engages the left-hand narrowing pick 150 and is raised upwardlythereby above the top center stitch cam 146 to move said needle over thestitch cams and decrease the number of needles passing through thestitch cams by one needle with each clockwise movement of the needlecylinder.

II. This condition of the narrowing and widening picks is used when itis desired to knit a pattern area in which the length of each succeedingcourse is decreased by two stitches at one end thereof in a narrowingoperation to form a symmetrically narrowed patch. In this instance, bothof the right-hand widening picks 163, 164 and both of the left-handwidening picks 165, 166 are inactive and the narrowing pick restrictors216 are both inoperative or in withdrawn position so that both of thenarrowing picks 150, 151 have a capacity for raising two needles toinoperative position during respective clockwise and counterclockwisemovements of the needle cylinder 110.

Both the right-hand and left-hand sets of widening picks are maintainedon the inoperative level by the selector cams 297, 297' occupying thepositions shown in Figures 10 and 7. 7

-,Thus,- with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder theleading two needles of the then active or lowered group ofneedles-engages the right-hand narrowing pick 151 and is raised upwardlythereby to raise the latter two needles to inoperative position abovethe top center stitch cam 146 and to decrease the number of needlespassing through the stitch cam by two with each counterclockwisemovement of the needle cylinder. With intervening clockwise movementsofthe needle cylinder 110 the leading two needles ofthe group of loweredor active needles engages the left-hand narrow,- ing pick and are raisedupwardly thereby so they pass above the stitch cams and decrease thenumber of needles passing through the stitch cams by two needles witheach clockwise movement of the needle cylinder. III. This condition ofthe narrowing and widening picks is .used when it is desired to knit apatternarea or patch in which each succeeding course is lengthened byone needle atoneend thereof to form a symmetrically 19 a v widenedpatchand is referred to as a widening operation. In"thisinstance,' theright-hand widening pick 164 and the left-hand widening pick 166 areactive or in needle receiving position and the narrowing pickrestrictors 216 are both in their innermost or operative position sothat each ot the narrowing picks .150, 151 has a capacity for m'isingoneneedle to inoperative position during each corresponding movement of theneedle cylinder 110. In order to condition the right-hand and left-handwidening picks 164,166 so they may be moved to active level by the pickactivator arms 270, 270', the selector cams 297, 297' will both bemovedto the position in which selector cam 297 isshown in Figure 13.

Thus, with each'counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder 110 theleading needles of the then inactiveor raised group of needles will beengaged by the right-hand widening pick feed cam 154 and lowered so theleadingtwo of'saidgroup of needles may engage the right-hand wideningpick 164 to be lowered further thereby'so they may pass through thestitch cams. However,

leading needle of the then lowered needles engages the right-handnarrowing pick 151 and is raised upwardly thereby to pass above the topcenter stitch cam 146. The combined action of the widening pick164'1owering two needles to operative position and the right-handnarrowing pick 151 raising one needle to inoperative position-results inthe number of needles passing through the stitch cam with eachcounterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder being increased by one.

*Upon'interventingclockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110,'-theleading needles of-the then: inoperative orraised needles are'loweredby'the left-hand widening pickfeed-eam 155, the leading two of which arefurther lowered'by the left-hand widening pick 166. The leading needleof the lowered or operative needles is then engagedibythe left handnarrowing pick 150 and raised to'inoperative position to pass above-thetop centerstitch cam21'46. Thus, with theleft-hand widening pick 16 6lowering 'two'additional needles-to operative position and the lett-handnarrowing pick 150 raisingone needlelout of: operation, the number-ofneedlespassing through the stitch cams-is decreased byonewith eachclockwise movementof'the needle cylinder. a

'i ncreasedby "two with .each movement of the needle cylinder in each;direction by positioning the widening pick selector'cams or plates 297,297 intheir innermost or fully inoperative positions, such .as thatoccupied by the widening pick-selector cam 297' in Figure 14. Ac-

cordingly,.the narrowing picks 150, 151 would then reby the righ*-handwidening picks 163; 164, whereupon IV. This condition of the narrowingand widening picks is'used whenit is desiredto knit apattern area orpatch in which each succeeding course is lengthened by two stitchesatone end thereof to form asymmetrically widened patch ,and" which isreferred to as a.widening operation. This condition" may beset up in two.ways. I

.The right-hand and left-hand widening picks plate 297. isshown inFigure 13. The narrowing picks j 150, 151.are.moved to inoperativeposition by raising the left-hand narrowing pick .150 with the arm .223(Figures 6 and 15) to prevent, alternatemovement and raising of thenarrowing picks 150, 151. p

Thus, with each counterclockwise movement of V the needle cylinder 110,the leading two needles of the group of'needles lowered by the pick feedcam 154 will be further lowered by the right-hand widening pick 164 toincrease the number of needles passing through the stitch cams by twowith each counterclockwise movementof the needle cylinder.'Uponintervening clockwisetmovemerits of the needle cylinder 110, theleading two needles, of theflgrouploweredby the pickieedcam 1'553.1131111? thereflowered by.the1left-hand widening pick 166 to.increasethenumber of needles passing throughjthe stitch cams -bytwowith each clockwise movement'o f the needle cylinder 110.

Alternatively, the number of needles in action may be the leading two ofthe latter four needles engage and are raised above the stitch camsbytheright-hand narrowing pick 151 while the'two remaining of the aforesaidfour needles pass through the stitch cams to thereby increase thenumbertof needles in action by two with each counterclockwise movementof the needle cylinder 110.

Uponintervening clockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110, theleading four needles of the group lowered by the widening pick feed'cam155 are further lowered by the left-hand widening picks 1 65, 166,whereuponthe leading two of the. last-named four needles engage, and areelevated topass above the stitch cams, by the left hand narrowingpick'150. Of course, the remaining two of. said last-named four needlespass through the stitch wins to thereby increase the number of needlesin action by two .with each clockwise movement of the needle cylinder inFigure 6.

V. This condition of-the narrowing and widening picks is .used when itis desired to knit a pattern area or patch in which the lengthof'successive courses is not affected, but wherein each succeedingcourse is stepped over one stitch to formv a diagonal pattern area orpatch, wherein the numberof active needles is increased by one with eachclockwise movement of .the needle cylinder and the numbercf needleswin.action isdecreased by one needle with. each. counterclockwise movementof, the needle cylinder. In this instance, the. right-hand wideningpicks 163,.164andthe left-hand widening pick 165 are renderedinactiveand only..the.left .handwidening Pick 166. is rendered active..Also, .thenar'rowing pick restrictors 216 bothoccupyoperative.orinnermost positions so thateach .ofthe. narrowing picks. 150, 151 hasa capacity for raising a .singlefneedle .:to.inoperative position duringcorresponding movements of .the needle cylinder 110. :.In ordertorender. both ofithe right-hand widening picks 163, 164 inactive theselector cam or plate 297 occupies the fully operative position as shownin Figure .10. ,In order to render the outer left-hand widening pick 166active-and to render the inner left-hand widening pick 165.inactive,;the selector cam or plate 297" occupies the intermediateposition shown infFigure 13. Thus, with each counterclockwise movementof the needle cylinder 110.the leadingneedle of the active or loweredgroup.

.of needles engages the right-hand narrowing pick 151 and is raisedthereby topass abovethe top center stitch cam 146 and tothereby-decrease the-number of needles passing through'the stitchcams-byone with each counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder.

Upon each intervening clockwise movement of the needlecylinder- 110, theleading two needles of the group of needles lowered by the widening pickfeed cam are furtherlowered-by the left-hand widening pick 166 tooperative position .and theleading needle of the then lowered group ofneedles will be engaged by the left-hand narrowing pick'150'and raisedthereby to pass above the top centers-stitch 1cam- 146 to :thus increasethe number of active needles passing through the stitch cams'by oneneedlewith each clockwisemovementof the needle cylinder. g g

i V1 Ihiscondition of the narrowing and widening picks is-thereverseofcondition V and is used when it is' desired to knit a pattern area inwhich thenuinber of needles in action from coursetocourseremainsconstant, but wherer in each successive cours'eis'stepped 'over one needle to 21 fori'n-a diagonal, patch which extendsat an angle someyvhat opposed with respectto anarea knit according tothe arrangement in conditionV. In thisinstance, the right-hand wideningpick 164 is active, the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 and theright-hand widening pick 163 are inactive and the narrowing pickrestrictors 216 are both in their innermost or operative positions sothat each of the narrowing picks 150, 151 has a capacity for raising oneneedle to inoperative position. In order to render the left-handwidening picks 165, 166 inactive, the selector cam 297' occupies theposition shown in Figure 7. In order to render the widening pick 163inactive and to render widening pick 164 active the selector cam 297occupies the'intermediate position, such as that occupied by theselector cam 297 in Figure 13. g i Thus, with eachcounterclockwise'rnovement. of the needle cylinder 110. the leading twoneedles of the group of needles lowered by the widening pick feed cam154 are further lowered to operative position by widening pick 164 andthe narrowing pick 151 engages the leading needle of the thenloweredneedles and is raised thereby to cause said last-named leadingneedle to pass above the top center stitch earn 146 to increase thenumber of active needles passing through the stitch cams by one witheach counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder. Upon interveningclockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110, the leading needle ofthe group of lowered or active needles engages the left-hand narrowingpick 150 and is raised thereby to pass above the top center stitch cam'146 to thus decrease the number of needles in action by one needle witheach clockwise movement of the needle cylinder. I 7 VII. This conditionof the narrowingand widening picks is used when it is desired to knita-pattern area in which each alternate course is lengthened by onestitch at one end and intervening courses are lengthened by two stitchesat the other end to thus form a widened patch whose diverging bordersextend at different angles relative to a given Wale. In this instance,both of the righthand widening picks 163, 164 and the outer left-handwidening pick 166 are rendered active the narrowing pick restrictor 216on the left-hand narrowing pick 150 occupies its innermost or operativeposition so the narrowing pick 150 has a capacity for raising one needleto inoperative position during each clockwise movement of the needlecylinder, and the narrowing pick restrictor 216 on the right-handnarrowing pick 151 occupies its outermost or inoperative position so theright-hand narrowing'pick 151 has a capacity forjraising the two needlesto inactive position during each counterclockwise movement of the needlecylinder.

inoperative position, such as that in which the selector plate 297 isshown in Figure 14. In order to render the left-hand widening pick 166active while rendering pick 165 inactive, the selector plate 297.occupies the position shown in Figure 13. Thus, with eachcounterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder 110 the leading fourneedles of the group of needles lowered by the widening pick feed cam154 are further-lowered by the right-hand widening picks 16 3, 164 andthe leading:- two needles of the then lowered group of needles areraised by the right-hand narrowing pick 151 to pass above the top centerstitch cam 146 to thus increase the number of active needles by two witheach counterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder.

Upon intervening clockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110, theleading two needles of the group of needles lowered by the left-handwidening pick feed cam 155 will be further lowered by the left-handwidening pick 166 and the leading needle of the then lowered group ofneedles will engage the, left-hand narrowing pick 150 and be raisedupwardly thereby to pass above the top center stitch earn 146 andincrease thenurnber of active needles by one needle with each clockwisemovement of the needle cylinder.

VIII. This condition or the narrowing and widening picks is the reverseof condition VII. :In this instance, only the right-hand widening pick-164'is rendered inactive, the left-handv widening picks 165, 166 andthe right-hand widening pick 163 are rendered active, the narrowing pickrestrictor 216 on the left-hand narrowing pick-150 occupies itsoutermost or inoperative position, so the narrowing pick 150 has acapacity for raising two needles to inoperative position, and the pickrestrictor 216 on the right-hand narrowing pick 151 occupies itsinnermost or operative position so the narrowing pick 151 has acapacityfor raising one needle to inoperative position. I 1

In order to render the right-hand widening pick '164 active and theright-hand widening pick 163 inactive, the selector plate 297 occupiesintermediate position (see selector plate 297. in Figure 13) and inorder to render both of the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 active theselector cam or plate 297 occupies the fully inoperative position shownin Figure 14. Thus, with each counterclockwise movement'of the needlecylinder 110 the leading two needles of the groupof needles lowered bythe widening pick feed cam 154 are further lowered to operative positionby the right-hand Widening pick 164 and the leading needle of the thenlowered or operative needles will be engaged and raised upwardly by therighthand narrowing pick 151 to pass above the top' center stitch 'cam146 to increase the number of active needles by one with eachcounterclockwise movement of the needle cylinder. a

Upon intervening clockwise movements of the needle cylinder 110,the-leading four needles of the group of needles lowered by theleft-handwidening pick feed cam 155 engage the. left-hand widening picks165, 166 and are further lowered to operative position. The then leadingtwo needles subsequently engage the left-hand narrowing pick'150 and areraised upwardly thereby to pass above the top center stitch cam 146thereby increasing the number of active needles by two with eachclockwise movement of the needle cylinder.

IX. This condition of the narrowing-and widening picks is used when itis desired to knit a pattern area in which 'each succeeding courseremains the same length, but wherein each succeeding course is steppedover two stitches in one direction relative to the end stitches of thepreceding course to form a diagonal patch or pattern area of the samewidth extending in angular relationship to a given wale. In thisinstance, both of the right-hand. widening picks 163, 164 are renderedactive and both of the left-hand widening picks 165, 166 are renderedinactive and both of the narrowing pick restrictors 216 occupy theiroutermost or inoperative positions so the narrowing picks 150, 151 eachhas a capacity for raising two needles to inoperative position duringknitting of alternate courses. p

In order to render both of the right-hand widening picks active, theselector plate 297 occupies the position in which plate 297' is shown inFigure 14. In order .to render both of the left-hand widening picks165,:166 inactive, the selector plate 297 occupies the position shown inFigure 7. Thus, with each counterclockwise movement of' the needlecylinder 110 the leading four needles of the'group of needles lowered bythe right-hand widening pick feed earn 154 are further lowered by theright-hand widening picks 163, 164 and the leading two of the latterfour needles engage the right-hand narrowing pick 151 and are raisedthereby to pass above the top center stitch cam 146 thereby increasingthe number of active needles by two with each counterclockwise movementof the needle cylinder. j

